Monday, July 15, 2013

Apple Walnut Raisin Cookies // Bolachas de Maçã, Noz e Passa de Uva

Where have I been? Oh, well, having cookies here and there. And taking time to listen and learn.One thing is certain. You will not taken seriously as a cook until you mention how you loved the Cookie Monster back in the day. But the truth is, most of us really did, and still do. There's something about that immeasurable love for cookies that acted as a sort of seed in many of us, who nowadays value food not only as a nutritional source, but also as a cultural and social act. Although it's not one of my favourite Sesame Street scenes, it is one I often remember whenever I see anyone enjoying their food:

Today I remembered this scene once again, so I had to try and bake some apple walnut raisin cookies. The recipe is simple, as always.INGREDIENTS1 cup of butter1 cup of brown sugar1 egg1 tea spoon of vanilla extract2 cups of flour1 tea spoon of baking powder1 apple1/2 a cup of walnuts1/2 a cup of raisinsMix the butter and the sugar. Add the egg and the vanilla extract. When you have a homogenous mixture, add the flour and the baking powder. Finally, add the apple cut in small pieces, the walnuts (crushed) and the raisins.With the help of a spoon, transfer the cookie mixture onto a tray with greaseproof paper, about 2 cm apart.Set the temperature of the oven to 160ºC and let the cookies bake for about 20 minutes. They will be both moist and crunchy, thanks to the fruit you added.I served them with a heart detail, made of Portuguese apple jam with Port wine and mint (meiadúzia).If you are just a little bit like me, have some cookies while you are watching your favourite programme on TV, and try them with some flamengo cheese in the shape of French fries - for this purpose, you'll love Queijo Cávado, by Lacticínios das Marinhas.And repeat "Apple Walnut Raisin Cookies" three or four times.

Hello Alex, Everyone always loves the cookie monster and I would love to try some of your chewy apples and raisin cookies. I really like your updated look where you have the languages side by side. Really nice. I know it takes a lot of extra effort to translate all of your recipes. Thanks for doing this for us. Take Care, BAM

Well, I've been experimenting in stages - 1st in English only, then with both Portuguese and English but with photos only in the English version, then repeated photos in both languages. I'm happy with this solution for the time being as well. :) Have a great week!

Thank you! I've been on and off and then seriously off... First the beach, then work, then evenings out with friends... - at least it's for good reasons. ;) But then the camera starts poking on my shoulder... "hey, you have some photos here you haven't posted yet". :D